By Chris Oddo | Saturday, August 30, 2014

 

Another day, another upset. World No. 145 knocks Petra Kvitova out of the US Open, 6-4 6-4.

Photo Source: Getty

Aleksandra Krunic had never played a Grand Slam main draw until this year’s US Open, but after three whirlwind wins the feisty Serbian qualifier is into the second week in New York.

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On Saturday Krunic stunned this year’s Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, 6-4, 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium with a focused, consistent attack that took advantage of Kvitova’s inconsistency from the backcourt.

Kvitova, seeded third in New York, was forced into longer rallies by the speedy Serb, and her 34 unforced errors opened up consistent opportunities for the 21-year-old, who converted on five of 13 break points on the afternoon.

Though Krunic plays a patient, diverse game from the baseline, relying on defense and consistency, her serve was clocked as high as 115 on the radar gun. She won 25 of 37 first serve points and saved three of six break points for the match.

“It was an honor for me to be in the same court as Petra,” said the world No. 145 “She’s a great champion and I watched both of her final matches in Wimbledon. Of course I didn’t expect to win—I was hoping to win at least a set but I managed to win a match.”

Kvitova rallied from a break down to draw level at four-all in the second set, but the Serb broke back and served the match out on the next game.

Krunic, who upset highly touted American Madison Keys in the second-round, will face either Victoria Azarenka or Elena Vesnina in the round of 16.

Kvitova has still yet to reach the quarterfinals at the US Open. The two-time Wimbledon champion is the third top-five seed to fall in week one of the US Open. Second-seeded Simona Halep fell on Friday, while fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska feel earlier in the week to Shuai Peng of China.